I am in charge of communications for a medium-size department in a much larger institution. I've been mandated to expand our communications channels over the past few years, which I have done, but am having trouble populating them with quality content -- and content creation is not actually among my formal responsibilities. It's impossible to find local people in my small city that can support me as freelance writers at the speed, frequency and price point I need, and remote hiring has not been a great success in the past. I'm capable of doing the writing work quickly, efficiently and well, but can't do it during my regular hours. Is there any way I can hire myself as a freelance writer, working on my own time, without my bosses knowing I'm hiring myself? [Canada] [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Dec 2, 2016 -
24 answers

We are a US based company that is in discussion with an EU based IT software development company. Are there any rules/regulations required by our company to be able to hire the EU company? This would be a B2B relationship, not an employer/employee relationship. [more inside]
posted by herda05
on Oct 17, 2016 -
4 answers

I moved to a new area recently and found a Master's program I'd love to attend. How do I land a job at this university, so I can attend in the future, after having accrued some free course 'credits' in the system? [more inside]
posted by erattacorrige
on Sep 25, 2016 -
24 answers

When do creative agencies (graphic design) typically start hiring new recruits? Is it better to start applying at end of the year or at beginning of the new year?
posted by omar.a
on Sep 18, 2016 -
3 answers

I had never done interviews or hiring until my most recent promotion. In my new position, I've helped make three hires. All three looked between solid and terrific. All three have turned out, to one degree or another, to be disappointments. What kinds of revisions can we make to our interview process to screen out people who interview well but do not deliver? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Aug 10, 2016 -
64 answers

I recently applied for a job in the pharmaceutical industry as a statistical programmer. I was told that if I successfully move to the next stage of the selection procedure, I will need to set a "quality control" test, in addition to a programming test. I would like to know "quality control" means in this context, so that I can try to prepare myself. [more inside]
posted by mister_kaupungister
on Jul 31, 2016 -
8 answers

A young company employs someone in an hourly capacity who is really enthusiastic about the company and loves telling people about it. The problem is the employee has recently begun to do more than simply tell people about the company, but asked for flyers and took the day off of work to promote the company. The company cannot afford to employ another person in this capacity right now but feels obligated to pay her for the day (as well as the temp who had to replace her). How can this be handled going forward in a diplomatic, fair way? [more inside]
posted by Danila
on May 20, 2016 -
26 answers

I may be offered a new job soon. I am also in the final stages of hiring a long-awaited second-in-command at my current job. I did not know I would be able to hire someone when I started the interview process for my potential new job. I have no cause to stick it to my current employer by hiring a new person then scramming shortly thereafter. How do I navigate this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Mar 24, 2016 -
12 answers

I'm an experienced software engineer and manager. I have a number of successful projects under my belt and some really great companies on my resume. However, I'm really, really bad at the traditional whiteboard interview. I'm getting ready to start looking for a new job. Would it be worthwhile to request an alternative interview format? [more inside]
posted by panama joe
on Mar 1, 2016 -
29 answers

My job of over a decade went sour thanks to a newer supervisor whom I can't shake. I am being micromanaged within an inch of my life, and it makes me shut down and do even less. New jobs are scarce, and I can't quit for financial reasons. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by sheena is a sock puppet
on Jan 13, 2016 -
23 answers

I would have to break a small teaching contract to take a much more stable and lucrative admin job I interviewed for at the same university. I haven't told my current supervisor that I'm looking for other work, but the application form required me to put them down as a reference. What should I do if HR gives me the heads-up that they are going to call my references? [more inside]
posted by Beardman
on Nov 25, 2015 -
5 answers

I manage a small team of software support people based in the West Coast United States. Now I'd like to hire one or more people based in Europe (I'm thinking maybe Berlin, Germany or Stockholm, Sweden) who would do the same thing (and whose hours would line up better with our European clientele). I've begun to do some research into the logistics of employing a German in Germany (just for starters) but I feel like I'm not getting far. Have you done this? What works best? [more inside]
posted by Mr. Professional
on Nov 19, 2015 -
6 answers

I'd like to hire someone to help me make an RSS aggregator, to replace a yahoo-pipes<, what is the best way to go about hiring for ultra-small scale projects like this? [more inside]
posted by cacofonie
on Nov 17, 2015 -
4 answers

I have received a verbal offer of employment over the phone. I did not verbally accept it, but I have a meeting on Monday where I suspect that they expect me to view the offer on paper for the first time and then immediately sign it. I still have questions about the position. How do I best handle this? [more inside]
posted by Urban Winter
on Nov 7, 2015 -
5 answers

We've recently started using an online application system at the company I work for and we're trying to set things up fairly so that some hired employees (e.g., in an admin, management, or HR role) can review unsuccessful candidates' and new applicants' files. Are there any protections we should put in place (legally or otherwise) so that new hires or other employees in these privileged roles cannot see the notes on their own applications, the applications and notes of their hiring competition, or applications and notes of fellow new hires? General advice welcome as well, e.g., if there are any potential use cases or other reasons as to why or why not this would be a good idea.
We have the ability to fully customise the online application system as we wish. This is in the UK.
posted by anonymous
on Oct 28, 2015 -
1 answer

I went through a long interview process and it turns out the person who was leading that process knew they were leaving, knew whom I'd be reporting to once they were gone, and actively withheld that from me. I don't think I can stay, I'm not sure what my next steps should be. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Oct 18, 2015 -
12 answers

Hey everyone!
I've got a tough decision in front of me... I am lucky enough to be in a position where I have to choose between two job offers. One of these companies is American Eagle Outfitters and I would be working as a graphic designer in the corporate office in Pittsburgh. The other job is at yet another big PGH company, but for a slightly different position.
I know people that work or have worked for the second company, so I've got the scoop on that option... However, I don't have any "inside info" on working for AE. Essentially, my position at AE is being called a "freelance" job, but I'd be working in the office 5 days a week with varying hours (and I'd be a W2 employee). That is a bit confusing to me, as (through personal experience) the words "freelance" and "W2" usually don't go hand-in-hand. ;)
Anyway, sorry... rambling! Has anyone here "freelanced" for AE Corporate in the past and can give me some info on how it went/what it was like/etc.? I've got a big decision to make by end of day Monday!
posted by anonymous
on Aug 21, 2015 -
6 answers

Okay, hiring managers and HR folks of AskMe. Suppose your company has a job opening, and you've interviewed a candidate. Things went pretty well, and you want to make that candidate an offer. You have your recruiter call and ask him for his salary requirements, and he gives you a number. What are some reasons why you might then come back and make an offer that is $10,000 more than what he was asking for?
posted by anonymous
on Aug 19, 2015 -
31 answers

What it says on the tin. I need a good backend developer for a nonprofit project, preferably in NYC, and none of my usual channels are panning out. Where's the best place to recruit?
posted by snickerdoodle
on Aug 18, 2015 -
4 answers

I am in contact with a celebrity who seems willing to write a foreword for my book. His agent has asked about our budget for the foreword...what is customary? [more inside]
posted by arniec
on Aug 17, 2015 -
6 answers

I work for a small, but somewhat prominent in its domain, company that has issues. These issues are not entirely apparent from the outside due to the company's excellent PR and HR offices. I don't want to leave the company right now for my own reasons, but I also find it difficult to try to convince people to work for the company without stretching the truth further than I'm comfortable with. How do I handle interviews when I believe that the company will fail? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Aug 14, 2015 -
15 answers

What is the website that allows you to post jobs and get candidates based only on their portfolio or work data? I cannot for the life of me remember what it is named but this would be for web development kind of positions.
posted by andendau
on Aug 6, 2015 -
5 answers

In January I sent my resume may in for a job I was considering. They got back to me after three weeks, and I had already accepted a job elsewhere. I replied to them thanking them for the interview but said that my circumstances had changed and I was no longer looking for a position. The job isn't working out and I'd like to reach out to this company and ask to be reconsidered. [more inside]
posted by slime
on Jun 22, 2015 -
4 answers

Would love to hear feedback from someone familiar with municipal HR practices. Yesterday I interviewed for a position with a city department. The interview was set up by someone from city HR, but was I was actually interviewed by people in the department. At the end of the interview, the contact from HR told me I could not contact the interviewers, but I could direct questions to her (the HR contact). I believe this is all because of various regulations regarding city hiring. When I've been interviewing for other jobs (private companies), I have sent a post-interview "thanks" email to the interviewer. Since I can't contact the people I interviewed with, is it appropriate to send a "thank you for organizing the interview" email to the HR person who has been my point of contact so far?
posted by anonymous
on Jun 20, 2015 -
3 answers

Today my partner was offered a full-time position in a federal government agency where he has been participating in an internship type of program for college students. He isn't sure if he should accept it or not. [more inside]
posted by Rapunzel1111
on Jun 3, 2015 -
15 answers

I am a new boss at a small company and our business model recently changed. I have to hire about 10 new people — and layoff about 10 current staffers. The moves are to bring on the new skills we need for this new era.
How can I do this kindly, respectfully, and in a way that sets up the team members who are staying with us for success after this rough period? [more inside]
posted by amoeba
on May 22, 2015 -
28 answers

I recently interviewed for two tenure track positions in a STEM field at two local community colleges. The one I want less is probably going to make a decision first. How long can I ask them to wait? [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on May 15, 2015 -
11 answers

I'm so incredibly tired of using up questions on this topic, but I need a fill-up on motivation and ideas about where to go from here. You'll know from seeing previous questions of mine that I've been looking for my first job for the better part of two years now. I've received wonderful advice each and every time, but I never really started putting it to good use until about six months ago ( depression, ADD, etc etc). The problem? It's been six. damn. months. and I haven't gotten so much as a call or an email back. From anywhere. What am I doing wrong, what reasons are there to keep trying, and how do I keep myself from going insane when it feels like all my resumes, cover letters and emails end up being sucked into a black hole? [more inside]
posted by marsbar77
on Mar 13, 2015 -
38 answers

I was looking up old school acquaintances online recently, and found the LinkedIn profile of a classmate from grad school. She's got just the resume my team desperately needs (MVC web development, natural language processing) and I know she's very smart. But I never knew her that well in school, and mostly remember her because of the secret crush I had on her back then. Would it be okay to email her about the open position at my company? [more inside]
posted by serathen
on Feb 11, 2015 -
17 answers

My most recent position is not ideal, and it's time to move on. How best should I phrase my departure and, if you were a hiring manager, what would you want to hear? Snowflakes inside. [more inside]
posted by Ashen
on Dec 17, 2014 -
15 answers

I have a situation where I interviewed for another position within the company where I am employed, I got a positive response and the hiring manager has told me he is going to work through some details with HR before he can give me a definite yes - problem is, I'm still not sure what the new position pays. [more inside]
posted by sputgop
on Dec 15, 2014 -
9 answers

As part of my friend's job, she was asked to give a visual guess of a job candidate's ethnicity. She felt uncomfortable doing so, and has questions about it. [more inside]
posted by msbrauer
on Dec 1, 2014 -
8 answers

After attending the first-ever Staffup Weekend in San Francisco, I've got a 3000-word assignment to write the best piece ever about whether the tech hiring system is broken and if Staffup Weekend is any kind of solution. Who should I interview? [more inside]
posted by Bella Donna
on Nov 4, 2014 -
6 answers

One company wants to hire me now. Another might, or might not, but they move slowly. I'm more interested in the latter but am definitely interested in both. How do I navigate this without pissing people off, burning bridges, or ending up with zilch? [more inside]
posted by StockingMarionette
on Oct 28, 2014 -
9 answers

I'm writing a presentation to give to college and grad students at the University of Michigan in order to get them excited about working for the software company I work for in Seattle, Washington. What sort of things should I focus on to set our company apart? [more inside]
posted by Cogito
on Sep 9, 2014 -
35 answers

I just had a job interview for a job I really want that went really well. So well that I forgot to mention something kind of important: I started a part-time retail job between applying and hearing back about the interview (it was almost a month and I've been unemployed since May, so needed something to pay the bills) that I'd have to give notice at, but I'd hopefully be able to get shifts covered. I haven't had any direct e-mail contact with the person who interviewed me, only with the administrative assistant. They would want me to start ASAP. I'll probably be going in for a second interview sometime next week. How and when do I mention this? More important, how and when do I mention this in a way that isn't going to ruin my chances of getting this job?
posted by anonymous
on Aug 31, 2014 -
15 answers

I've been reading about the practice of finding the right candidates by using auditions, tryouts, trial work periods, etc. (See for example this.) [more inside]
posted by woodman
on Aug 24, 2014 -
9 answers

I'm working with a professor of medicine, and she has a clinical decision algorithm that needs to be turned into a website with a database backend. We need to find a person. [more inside]
posted by raspberry jam and clothes iron
on Aug 17, 2014 -
17 answers

I'm an assistant manager now. I want to be a manager, and there will be job openings in a month or so. What can I do to increase my chances of getting promoted? [more inside]
posted by trogdole
on Jul 26, 2014 -
10 answers

I'm a nurse practitioner in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (4 years experience), and I'm applying for jobs at the National Institutes of Health. I've had one prompt and enthusiastic response, but I've heard nothing from the rest, so I have a few questions about NIH's hiring process and timeline. [more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Jul 24, 2014 -
3 answers

What is and is not acceptable to include in job interview follow-up emails? Difficulty level: I'm literally in the middle of a project with them right now. [more inside]
posted by dekathelon
on Jun 25, 2014 -
5 answers

I'm trying to solve a mystery. Let's say it's a friend of a friend..
He's got some.. kind of.. tech certification and for several months has reported to her (while borrowing money from her) that he's been interviewing for jobs. He reports the same story each time.. several times a month.. that he interviews, interviews with the HR department, then their tech manager and sometimes a CEO gets throw in there... and then without fail, nobody calls him back once he interviews at a certain level.
She's not remotely tech savvy and continues to loan him money.
Is the market really so strained that this is possible? Does this happen a lot?
She's cut him off, but.. curious.
posted by missy_b
on May 20, 2014 -
22 answers

Company is looking to open an office in Portland, Boulder, Salt Lake City, or New Orleans. What is it like to hire programmers and designers there? What is the talent pool like? What do people get paid? [more inside]
posted by 3491again
on May 14, 2014 -
30 answers

I have a staff position in academic research. I received a verbal job offer two and a half weeks ago for a higher position in a different lab, and I gave notice to my current PI (my boss) immediately. I haven't gotten the official job offer yet, and I think my PI might cause me to lose the offer... Also, I'm kind of just freaked out in general and need some fresh eyes. Am I freaking over nothing, or is trouble brewing here? [more inside]
posted by your mom's a sock puppet
on May 11, 2014 -
14 answers

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